Volunteers swing their clubs to fight cystic fibrosis

MT. JULIET — Local families and volunteers are gearing up for the inaugural Cure For Our Friends golf tournament benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on April 26 at Windtree Golf Course.

While this event is new this year, the co-chairs Vera Smith and Susan Marshall have raised well over $100,000 since they began fundraising years ago to fight this No. 1 genetic disease of children. The tournament is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 1:30 pm. The field is limited to the first 120 paid entries. Entry fee is $160 per person or $600 for a team.

Entry fee includes a tournament round of golf, range balls the day of the event, a team photo from Annie’s Photography, door prizes, snacks and beverages on the course provided by Coca-Cola Company and Ajax Turner Co., Inc. Putting Contest sponsored by Metro Carpets. After golf there will be a dinner and after party catered by Courtney’s and live music provided by The Skahl’s and other local artists at the Windtree Clubhouse. Non-golfers are invited to come out for the dinner and after party, with a donation strongly encouraged. The Southern Academy of Irish Dancers will perform at 6 p.m., Sam the Balloon Man and face painting will be available as well.

The event also promises to have some outstanding guests, including retired NFL stars Eddie Khayat, Brad Hopkins, Jimmy Robinson, Paul Guidry and Randy Fuller, just to name a few.

We still lose precious young lives to this disease every day. It’s more important than ever that we rally our community to fight CF,” said Vera Smith, volunteer chair for the CF Foundation’s Tennessee Chapter. “We are grateful for every volunteer, donor and sponsor who supports Cure For Our Friends Golf Tournament.”

Funds raised through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation have helped spur dramatic progress in the lives of those who have cystic fibrosis. Fifty years ago, most children with CF did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Today, people with CF are living into their 30s, 40s and beyond.